Lol! It actually came to me as I was writing for a quasi-local newspaper that I suspected to be a one-man show. Turned out it was. YET, there were three writers listed on the various articles and eventually the editor/photographer/staff writers/ad sales/obits and legal announcements guy admitted it was a one-man show. I was laughing my ass off about it for weeks. Penny Nickels was the actual name of a kid from grade school who taught my entire class the facts of life on the playground, as well as versing us on profanity. She was supposedly the "expert" on swear words, but as it turned out her understanding of the meaning of the words was not always accurate, as my fourth grade teacher informed us.
Chris, my guess is that there are many of us “fans” who enjoy your writing (but many don’t stop to say so). Truth is I don’t know exactly how this all works (Substack), you may be privy to info about readers that I can’t see. I do know that I live in a red state (South Dakota) with a suffocating cloud of righteous small talk and small thought endlessly floating all around us that is, well, suffocating. When I come across interesting, out of the box, creative, funny thinking, shared in very well-written stories, I just Have to stop and let you know how much I appreciate your hard work your and unique abilities. 😉
Chris Andrews: Well, with John, Men are not totally "on pause" -- but that seems excusable, since John seems like a beautiful, tremendous person, and who is loved by ONE OF MY FAVORITE PERSONS -- who had to write "I will not disturb class"" one-hundred times on the chalk board many afternoons in grammar school.
Damn, the more I learn of you, the better I like it.
ACLU: Good, good, good, said by Armando, a lifelong lawyer with the Navy (Marines (judge advocate) and Department of Navy (civilian Office of General Counsel) and Air Force RESERVES (judge advocate), and whose values are those of the ACLU, and who for years has maintained membership in the ACLU. I LOVE YOUR VALUES.
Satire: Your satire is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-S.
The Bay Area? Napa Valley? -- I absolutely LOVE those areas. How I envy you for living there. Because of my LOVE for Nancy (53-years together; 51-years as an honest man) I moved to Suburban Memphis (to be near grandkids). SHE wanted to move here. I protested, but, at the risk of being another "Man on Pause", I bowed to pressure! God, WHAT I would GIVE to live in Northern California. Northern California has EVERYTHING I want.
And quite frankly, even if the neo-fascist were -- God forfend -- to be elected to the highest office, YOU and JOHN are safe in the Bay Area. Under the Federal System, the State and State's Power are STRONG. You and John will have a beautiful life.
But: I cannot stand the idea of the preceding paragraph. Our Joyful Warrior, Kamala Harris MUST WIN!
SHE MUST WIN!
But in any event, Chris Andrews and John lead a BEAUTIFUL life. I envy you both, BUT IN A HAPPY SPIRIT.
YOU are one of the F-R-I-E-N-D-S that keep me cheerful in daily life.
God, I LOVE how you share of yourself.
And, I LOVE, just LOVE the innocent, joyful freedom of your romantic comedy and satire.
YOU are AMONG THE BEST, and yours is one of the first readings I look for in the morning.
Keep spreading the FUN, and keep being mischief.
As the dearly missed late Congressman, John Lewis, the great civil rights peaceful warrior, said, "Make good trouble!"
Right here resides a damn big fan…. John’s oft been called “a lucky man”…
And, BTW, the brows look great,
don’t you be listn’n to no sista hate…
P.S. Pathetic poet pooped out after 2 measly rhymes! Guess my rapper name… were I a rapper (hahaha) might be: “No Rappa”
Keep writing
Will have some new stuff shortly. You keep me writing Steve!
Part of a story or book you’re working on?
Sorry for delayed response. The request was for this character I'm developing: Penny Nickels: https://www.menonpause.info/p/my-two-cents.
Chris, that’s a great origin story! You are a creative storyteller, piecing those bits together into a very believable tale 😊
Just read it… very good, sounds autobiographical. You’re an interesting woman 🩷
Lol! It actually came to me as I was writing for a quasi-local newspaper that I suspected to be a one-man show. Turned out it was. YET, there were three writers listed on the various articles and eventually the editor/photographer/staff writers/ad sales/obits and legal announcements guy admitted it was a one-man show. I was laughing my ass off about it for weeks. Penny Nickels was the actual name of a kid from grade school who taught my entire class the facts of life on the playground, as well as versing us on profanity. She was supposedly the "expert" on swear words, but as it turned out her understanding of the meaning of the words was not always accurate, as my fourth grade teacher informed us.
Chris, my guess is that there are many of us “fans” who enjoy your writing (but many don’t stop to say so). Truth is I don’t know exactly how this all works (Substack), you may be privy to info about readers that I can’t see. I do know that I live in a red state (South Dakota) with a suffocating cloud of righteous small talk and small thought endlessly floating all around us that is, well, suffocating. When I come across interesting, out of the box, creative, funny thinking, shared in very well-written stories, I just Have to stop and let you know how much I appreciate your hard work your and unique abilities. 😉
Hey Steve - any chance you've got a funny small town paper where you live? If so message me, as I need to get copies for inspiration.
very interesting life......
yes, it is, lol 😂
Chris Andrews: Well, with John, Men are not totally "on pause" -- but that seems excusable, since John seems like a beautiful, tremendous person, and who is loved by ONE OF MY FAVORITE PERSONS -- who had to write "I will not disturb class"" one-hundred times on the chalk board many afternoons in grammar school.
Damn, the more I learn of you, the better I like it.
ACLU: Good, good, good, said by Armando, a lifelong lawyer with the Navy (Marines (judge advocate) and Department of Navy (civilian Office of General Counsel) and Air Force RESERVES (judge advocate), and whose values are those of the ACLU, and who for years has maintained membership in the ACLU. I LOVE YOUR VALUES.
Satire: Your satire is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-S.
The Bay Area? Napa Valley? -- I absolutely LOVE those areas. How I envy you for living there. Because of my LOVE for Nancy (53-years together; 51-years as an honest man) I moved to Suburban Memphis (to be near grandkids). SHE wanted to move here. I protested, but, at the risk of being another "Man on Pause", I bowed to pressure! God, WHAT I would GIVE to live in Northern California. Northern California has EVERYTHING I want.
And quite frankly, even if the neo-fascist were -- God forfend -- to be elected to the highest office, YOU and JOHN are safe in the Bay Area. Under the Federal System, the State and State's Power are STRONG. You and John will have a beautiful life.
But: I cannot stand the idea of the preceding paragraph. Our Joyful Warrior, Kamala Harris MUST WIN!
SHE MUST WIN!
But in any event, Chris Andrews and John lead a BEAUTIFUL life. I envy you both, BUT IN A HAPPY SPIRIT.
YOU are one of the F-R-I-E-N-D-S that keep me cheerful in daily life.
God, I LOVE how you share of yourself.
And, I LOVE, just LOVE the innocent, joyful freedom of your romantic comedy and satire.
YOU are AMONG THE BEST, and yours is one of the first readings I look for in the morning.
Keep spreading the FUN, and keep being mischief.
As the dearly missed late Congressman, John Lewis, the great civil rights peaceful warrior, said, "Make good trouble!"
I live for your replies. Just saying.